Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/220

 der and lightning—a mean trip. Finally we came near the mill and I made out the devil whom I had pressed against the mill-stone standing near the dam, still somewhat doubled up. As soon as he saw us, he shouted: “Comrades, the count is coming.”

“Instantly a host of the devils swarmed about the carriage and dragged the count down from his seat. “You are most welcome,” they shouted, “we waited for you long, and now you shan’t escape us.”

“I did not like the situation at all; and now the horses took fright, the reins fell from my hands, and we dashed at a terrible gallop over ravines and washouts, throughtthrough [sic] forest and plain, over roads and rough ground. My hat was blown away, and as I turned to catch it I saw the mill afar off in the flash of lightning, and there was the swarm of those black ones with the count writhing among them. Then everything disappeared. It was hours, before the exhausted horses stopped with a smashed carriage. We were in a distant, strange part of the country and nobody could tell me the way back. So I sold the horses with the carriage to the dog-catcher for a song. My chest with silver was lost to me, and again I went poor into the world, until I got here.”

“Master blacksmith, I like the looks of you,” said the prince. “I would like to take you into my service, if you are willing.”

“Oh, gladly, sir,” laughed the blacksmith. “I am willing to do anything. There is little work at my trade anyhow—hard times.”

“I am in a great trouble,” resumed the prince. “I lived all my life with my father and never went anywhere, until one day I saw the picture of a princess in one of the old rooms. Immediately I fell in love with her. But my father insisted that I must give up all thought of her, that I would be unhappy. Her parents would give her to no one, unless he could accomplish three very difficult feats; and should he fail, he would be immediately put to death. Many perished already, so that nobody dares to attempt the task anymore. But I longed for this princess so much and begged so earnestly to be allowed to go that at last mother got ready this bundle and gave me much money, and thus I left home. I have been a long time on the way, but I hesitate to make the attempt alone, lest I lose my life.”

“If your grace,” began the tailor, “could use another helper, I would be glad to serve you. For I also know a trick.” And the slender tailor rose and then kept on rising to an unbelievable height. He was getting taller and taller, until he straightened himself and reached far above the pines. All were amazed. Then the tailor slowly contracted and said:

“This is the trick that I can do; it may be useful some day.”

The prince thanked him with joy and paid him some money in advance on his hire.

The shoemaker had been listening and watching without saying a word. Now he got up heavily and went back a few paces to a large clearing in the woods. While the rest were still talking, suddenly something was rolling upon them. They looked—the shoemaker puffed out his cheeks and his belly was visibly swelling, until it pressed the underbrush to the ground, filled the whole clearing and actually drove the three companions from the circle of the fire. When the shoemaker had sufficiently demonstrated his feat, he again contracted himself and returned puffing to his friends. The prince gladly hired him also, and then all four lay down on their blankets to gain strength for the next day’s journey.

In the morning they started for the kingdom with the beautiful princess. All were merry, ate well, for they had plenty of money. The prince was happy, because he felt confident that with such helpers he would surely win the princess. So the time passed quickly and one day at the end of a wide, dusty road they saw the city of their destination.

There were banners fluttering in the breeze above the gates, where soldiers stood guard; in the city bands were playing and the people seemed to be dressed in their best clothes. It was morning, when they came to the inn below the castle. The prince ordered meat and wine and asked the host what the people were celebrating. The innkeeper answered:

“It is evident, gentlemen, that you come from afar, if you do not know that the royal princess is celebrating her birthday today.”

The prince then declared his intention of asking the king for the hand of the princess. At that the inn-keeper protested vehemently:

“I beseech you most earnestly, young sir, do not attempt that, for it would be such a pity, if you were to lose your life. The king has a garden in which he hangs all the would-be-bridegrooms that failed to accomplish the three feats. There is one on almost every tree so that the king walks in the shade, when he goes into that garden. Now he is in bad humor, because for a long time no candidate has come forward. The princess is glad that men do not perish any more for her sake, but as soon as you come, she will be saddened again.”

“Oh well,” the blacksmith replied, “do not fear for us. We will all go together and together we can do a great deal.”

After they had eaten and drunk their fill, they dressed themselves smartly, combed their hair and went up to the castle. As soon as they announced in the gate that they came to ask for the princess’ hand, there was much sounding of trumpets and they were taken to the king. He received them warmly, for he was pleased to get four victims at once. A great feast was spread on the meadow below the castle. Hundreds of oxen roasted on the spit gave out delicious odor;